Rolando Aarons has admitted he is raring to go for the 2017/18 season after two injury-ravaged years on Tyneside.

The Newcastle United winger has been assured he is a part of Rafa Benitez’s plans for the next phase of his project at St James’ Park.

Aarons is now hoping to be back in the mix for Newcastle’s first pre-season friendly in July.

Despite playing in just a handful of games last term, Benitez made sure Aarons remained a big part of things behind-the-scenes and the youngster was invited into the dressing room for the celebrations which marked both promotion and the Sky Bet Championship title.

Aarons, still just 21, had only played in five games during the campaign before being struck with a foot injury and suffering what proved to be a season-ending knee injury.

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Benitez constantly encouraged Aarons as he made another comeback from injury, but this time the winger was sent to Italy to work with a specialist who the Spaniard knew from his time in Serie A with Napoli.

The plan helped Aarons strengthen his knee and also provided a change of scenery in Rome under the watch of Professor Mariani Villa Stuart.

Back then former Inter Milan and Liverpool chief Benitez sent Lorenzo Insigne for similar treatment and he was able to make a full recovery from a similar issue.

And while Aarons did not appear during the run-in as originally planned by Newcastle, his patience should mean he is fit and firing for pre-season training in July.

Aarons was linked with Liverpool and Manchester City three years ago when he broke on to the scene with the first team, but the winger says he can’t wait to pull on a black and white shirt again.

Rolando Aarons (Image: Newcastle United)

He told the Chronicle: “I have been here for five years now.

“I feel like a Geordie.

“I am happy here and I just want to work hard for this club.

“I really want to do well for Newcastle United.”

Newcastle are in the market for new wingers in this summer’s transfer window with Sammy Ameobi and Yoan Gouffran set to leave the club.

But even though there will be competition from new faces, Aarons is up for the challenge.

He said: “I’m looking forward to next season.

“I am going to come back and do what I normally do, try my best, and go from there.”